U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Canada shouldn’t leave just as signs of progress appear in the war-torn nation.

OTTAWA – Canada is looking at staying in Afghanistan after its military mission wraps up next year, the Star has learned.

A senior government source said that “officials are examining Canada’s potential non-military role post-2011.”

The revelation comes after the U.S. government made clear Monday that it wants Canada to stay in Afghanistan, whether it’s with troops, trainers or aid development.

In Washington’s bluntest demand yet, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used an appearance on a political chat show Monday to make clear that her government would like to see Canada extend its presence in the troubled country, past 2011 when soldiers are due to pull out.

“We would obviously like to see some form of support continue because the Canadian Forces have a great reputation, they work really well with our American troops and the other members of our coalition,” Clinton said.

“Obviously it’s for Canada to decide the way forward. But we certainly hope there will be some continuing connection and visible support because we’ve all learned so much,” she said in an interview with CTV News.

There is little political appetite within any of the political parties in Ottawa to extend the military presence in Afghanistan, where Canada has some 2,500 troops in southern Kandahar province.

In fact, there’s been little debate on what role, if any, Canada will play after 2011. There’s speculation that Clinton was trying to kick start that debate with her surprisingly candid comments.

“The fact that Mrs. Clinton is reduced to asking for a clarification on Canadian foreign policy on television is not a total surprise. I don’t know how forthcoming the government has been in any private discussions with the Americans,” said Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae.

While Cannon said last week there had been no request from Washington to stay in Afghanistan, Rae was surprised that discussions on future roles hadn’t taken place.

“It’s difficult to believe that there have been no discussions between us and the Americans or us and NATO about what other potential roles might make sense. It’s very hard for me to understand how that might be,” Rae said.

The federal government wasted little time Monday announcing that it was sticking with its guns and that Canada’s military mission would end in 2011, as previously planned.

However, Clinton floated other options that might be easier to sell to the Canadian public, including a training role for the military instead of combat, or logistics support. She also highlighted Canadian contributions off the battlefield, and said Ottawa could stick with efforts to encourage development “development, better governance, the rule of law.”

She called them “all the pieces of the strategy that have to be married with the military.”

“Canada has a particular commitment to and experience with that kind of development work that would be very useful.”

For months, officials from across federal departments have been working options for Canada’s continued involvement in Afghanistan while complaining about the lack of clear direction from the government as they draw up their plans.

Just like week in the Commons, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon made clear that Canada would stick the intent of a 2008 parliamentary motion and withdraw troops next year.

“Time and time again, and once again reiterated in the Speech from the Throne, we have been clear in stating that Canada's military mission will end in 2011,” Cannon said last Thursday.

Speaking after Clinton’s comments, a spokesperson for Cannon said Canada’s position hasn’t changed.

Rae said that combat is out of the question for the Liberal party, but the official opposition is open to other options.

“We are prepared to discuss whatever it is that the government intends to put on the table. But so far they’ve put nothing on the table,” Rae said.

Clinton said Washington’s new Afghanistan strategy, under President Barack Obama, is “making progress” while conceding the battle against Taliban and al Qaeda fighters has been tough.

“It’s been a long slog trying to learn how to take on these insurgents . . . to have to go back to basically guerilla warfare, asymmetric warfare to take on the enemy,” she said.

“We’ve made a lot of progress. We would very much look forward to having Canada involved in any way you think appropriate,” Clinton said.

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